Chennai's Best Home Health Care at your Doorstep

Debunking Diabetes Diet Myths

If you don’t pay attention to what you eat, diabetes can be a difficult condition to manage. There are a lot of myths surrounding the diet a diabetic is allowed and not allowed to follow. Some of them make it overly restrictive and impossible to follow.

So, in this article, what we’re going to do is debunk some of the myths associated with the diet of a diabetic. The key is being aware of the nutritional facts about the food you eat.

Myth 1:Carbohydrates are harmful

Fact: Carbohydrate is the cornerstone of a healthy diet, even for diabetics. It contains many nutrients like essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber. However, it is important for a diabetic to choose those carbohydrates which have high nutritional value. Whole grains, fruits, and vegetables are rich in fiber and nutrition. Avoid starchy, sugary and processed carbohydrates that offer low nutrition to your body.

Carbohydrates affect your blood sugar levels directly. Therefore, it is important to monitor the quantity and quality of your intake of carbohydrates.

Myth 2: Protein is better than carbohydrates

Fact: Substituting carbohydrate by eating more of proteins is not quite healthy for a diabetic. Proteins in the form of meat may be filled with saturated fats which are bad for the heart. A diabetic is at a higher risk of having heart problems; you don’t want to aggravate that. For that reason, it is essential to choose your protein wisely. Proteins should not constitute more than 15% to 20% of the total intake of calories each day.

Myth 3: Sweets are out of the question

Fact: Sweet can be included in your diet but in moderation, every now and then. It would help you keep a track of your intake of carbohydrates. Accordingly, when you want to eat a sweet, you can cut back on carbohydrates from another source in order to accommodate a sweet while still staying within the limits.

Myth 4: Sugar-free food is safe

Fact: Sugar-free food does not necessarily mean carbohydrate-free. Sugar-free labels on foods are a marketing trick. Don’t be fooled by it. Most of the bread-based desserts which say that they are sugar-free are high in carbohydrates from the use of flour and grains. And sugar is often replaced by sugar alcohols which can elevate sugar levels in your blood if consumed in large quantities. Your best friend is the nutritional facts at the back of such packs.

Managing your glucose levels does not have to be as complicated as it seems. To make it simpler for you, at One Life we have a team of dietitians who come with a lot experience. They understand your medical needs and formulate a comprehensive dietary plan to fulfill your nutritional requirements. They will also educate you on how to choose your food wisely. To consult our dietitians, you can call us on our toll-free number 1800 425 19999. Our dietitian will come to you.